Alabama Crimson Tide aim to right last season's wrongs against USF with three keys to victory

The Alabama Crimson Tide faced off with the South Florida Bulls down in Tampa last year, and while the end result was a win, it was the process that had many fans shaking their heads at the time.  A Jalen Milroe benching and inept offense a week after a loss against the Texas Longhorns, it […]

Rob Gregson NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Sep 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls tight end Weston Wolff (18) leaps over Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Alabama Crimson Tide faced off with the South Florida Bulls down in Tampa last year, and while the end result was a win, it was the process that had many fans shaking their heads at the time. 

A Jalen Milroe benching and inept offense a week after a loss against the Texas Longhorns, it looked like the sky was falling in Tuscaloosa. 

But as usual, Nick Saban steered the team in the right direction and the rest was history. 

Now the Tide are seeking a much more dominant performance, and there are three ways to accomplish that:


Key 1: No Bobbled Exchanges 

Mar 6, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Jalen Milroe turns to hand the ball off to Justice Haynes during practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team Wednesday.
Alabama Football’s Backfield © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite putting on a stellar performance against Western Kentucky, there is always room for improvement at the QB position. Kalen DeBoer noted that with Jalen Milroe, especially regarding C-QB exchanges. 

"We had a communication issue," DeBoer said after the WKU victory. "I think we didn't snap the ball. I think maybe [Center] Parker was trying to signal something and get the line locked in, and that's just a quarterback and center being on the same page, and then all the sudden, it was time to snap the ball when Jalen clapped, so just things like that that we can continue to get better at."


Key 2: Playing Well at LT

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) blocks Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl.
Alabama LT Kaydn ProctorKirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

HC Kalen DeBoer has been keeping things a little tight-lipped regarding the injury status of star LT Kadyn Proctor after his unexpected pregame scratch on Saturday. If he can't go that sets up for another start from Elijiah Pritchett who was in a battle for the starting RT prior to the Proctor injury. 


Key 3: Turn The Ball Over

Alabama S Keon Sabb© Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

The tide, and particularly safety Keon Sabb were able to turn the Hilltoppers over on Saturday, but DC Kane Wommack wants to see more out of his entire unit come this week:

"I did not think we capitalized on takeaways as a defense," Wommack said Monday. "I thought we had opportunities to score on defense multiple times, and we did not make the most of those opportunities. We also had opportunities in the backfield– sacks are great, but sack fumbles are way better to get the ball back for our offense right there on the spot. So those are things that the guys have really been challenged on."